CityGirl's Summer Chick Lit Reading Challenge Lists

CityGirl in Toronto has kindly taken the time to send in her summer chick lit reading list AND her list of recommends for anyone who wants to join in the summer chick lit reading challenge. 

There are lots of books to choose from and a good representation of chick lit authors from all over the world.

A big thank you to CityGirl. I know I will definitely add a few of these to my list. 

CityGirl’s Summer Chick Lit Reading List:

Personally, I blame my Fairy Godmother by Claudia Carroll

If This is Paradise, I Want My Money Back by Claudia Carroll

I Never Fancied Him Anyway by Claudia Carroll

Be Careful What You Wish for by Alexandra Potter

You’re the One that I don’t Want by Alexandra Potter

When in Rome by Gemma Townley

Learning Curves by Gemma Townley

The Booklovers Appreciation Society by Various

Growing up Again by Catriona McCloud

Fashionistas by Lynn Messina

Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes (possibly others too) She will get hooked!

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

The Gatecrasher by Madeleine Wickham

Thin, Rich, Pretty by Beth Harbison

Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella

Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella

Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Death by Chick Lit by Lynn Harris

Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell

Summer and the City by Candace Bushnell

With Her boots On by Lisa Dow

The Flirt by Kathleen Tessaro

Tantrums and Tiaras by Linda Francis Lee

And CityGirl’s Recommends:

Do You Want To Know a Secret? by Irish author Claudia Carroll

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella (This is the best Sophie Kinsella book yet - I think it reads like a movie)

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell (Very fun and fluffy - great for the cottage)

Stuck in Downward Dog by Chantel Simmons (One of the few chick-lit books set in Toronto, so I could really picture the story unfolding in the city)

In Her Shoes – Lisa Dow (Also set in Toronto, very funny). With Her Boots On is the sequel.

Who’s that Girl by Alexandra Potter

CityGirl also suggested two books related to writing chick lit for anyone with a secret desire to write chick lit:

1. See Jane Write: A girl’s Guide to Writing Chick Lit by Sarah Mlynowski and Farrin Jacobs

2. Will Write for Shoes: How to Write a Chick Lit Novel by Cathy Yardley

Let the chick lit reading begin! And join in the #chicklitchat discussion on Twitter anytime!

Karen's Summer Chick Lit Challenge

My friend Karen, fellow booklover and talented book publicist in Toronto,  recently proposed a summer reading challenge that promises to be a lot of fun.

 

The goal is to read as many chick lit novels as humanely possible for the entire summer. My favourite chick lit author of all time is Marian Keyes. I don't read a lot of chick lit these days, but I've enjoyed Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella in the past and it looks like there is no shortage of chick lit options. Bring it on I say!

In Karen's words we're looking for titles that are "pure, unadulterated, fluffy chick lit". 

The first book on our list is Something Borrowed. So far it totally fits the bill and I'm starting to think about the next title. 


Would anyone like to join us? You can read at your own pace, and we can share ideas and compare reading lists at different stages during the summer. 


We would love to hear suggestions from you!

So Many Books So Little Time: My friend Jill's Awesome Reading List

My friend Jill is not just a pretty face. She also loves to read good books. Last night we went for dinner to a great "asian fusion" restaurant called Cravings at Yonge and Lawrence. We were joined by our friend Lisa (aka LK in a previous post).

We discussed a number of important subjects: kids, family, Ottawa gossip (we are all from Ottawa), the benefits of having a built in desk in your kitchen and of course....BOOKS!

Lisa is reading Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. Jill is reading Room by Emma Donoghue which I just loved. When Jill told me that she had a great list of books I asked to see it.  I was impressed and wanted to share. Jill's sister Marni, is also an avid reader and I think some of the picks on the list below are on her list too.

 Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nehmat (heard great things)

Room by Emma Donoghue (Jill is reading this one now, it sure is a popular one!)
Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay
I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey by Izzeldin Abuelaish

My Sister’s  Keeper and Sing You Home by Jodie Picoult
Orange Is The New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison by Piper Kerman
Ten Thousand Lovers by Edeet Ravel
Stone’s from the River by Ursula Hegi
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The Lake of Dreams and The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
The Song of Kahunsha by Anosh Irani
The Last Kestrel by Jill McGivering
The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
Fall On Your Knees by Anne-Marie MacDonald
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad and Ingrid Christopherson
Now You See Her by Joy Fielding
Sister by Rosamund Lupton
Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Fancy Pants, Lady Be Good and Call Me Irresistable by Susan E. Phillips
The Unexpected Son and The Dowry Bride by Shobhan Bantwal
Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Here's a nice pic I found of Jill and her father